Your future, our focus
After an opening Region IX North victory at home, the Northwest Trapper men’s basketball team set out on the road to Torrington — overcoming a slow start to beat Eastern Wyoming 89-76.
NORTHWEST 89, EASTERN WYOMING 76
After a lengthy bus ride the Trappers (15-7 overall, 2-0 Region IX North) came out of the gates slow, trailing 12-2 after the first five minutes of the game to the Lancers (4-17 overall, 0-2 Region IX North).
Yannice Nlend broke the nearly five minute scoring drought for the Trappers, as they started to claw back into the contest.
“We started out slow,” coach Andy Ward said. “I think once we settled in we played quite a bit better. If we took out that first five minutes of the game I thought we played well the next 35.”
Northwest quickly cut the lead down to one possession trailing 17-15, before the Lancers responded and pushed the lead back out to two possessions.
Both teams continued to exchange baskets, with Northwest taking its first lead of the game 29-27 with 3:30 minutes left in the half on a pair of Davion McAdam free throws.
Northwest pushed the lead out to four before Eastern Wyoming scored eight straight to claim its own four-point lead.
The Trappers got a basket back, trailing 35-33 going into the half.
Northwest opened the second half with an extended 13-3 run to claim an eight point lead, and forced a timeout from the hosts.
Northwest continued to attack, opening up a double digit lead just five minutes into the half.
The Trappers continued to be led by McAdam, who finished with 35 points and nine rebounds in the contest. He is averaging 21.2 points per game this season.
“Davion has played really well,” Ward said. “Teams will try and take him away. It’s not a secret that he is scoring the ball well but he does other stuff for us too.”
Eastern Wyoming cut the lead down to single digits one last time with 3:30 left, but the Trappers kept the lead between 10 and 15 the entirety of the second half en route to an 89-76 victory.
“It’s tough to get off the bus after a six hour bus ride and play,” Ward said. “I thought we showed a lot of poise after that start and got the road win.”
Nlend finished with 15 and David Ayala finished with 10 for the Trappers in the victory.
RETURNING HOMEThe Trappers returned back to Powell on Wednesday, Feb. 1, taking on Laramie County Community College (11-7 overall, 2-0 Region IX North).
“[LCCC] are very talented and have a lot of depth,” Ward said. “If we can take care of our homecourt then that would put us in the lead for now. It’s a tough game every night out with Region IX.”
That result was determined after the press deadline.
Northwest is set to take on Central Wyoming College (13-8 overall, 0-2 Region IX North) on Saturday at 4 p.m.
POSTPONED GAMENorthwest was scheduled to take on Western Wyoming (14-8 overall, 1-1 Region IX North) on Saturday, Jan. 28, but the game was postponed due to road closures.
That game has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.
NORTHWEST 89, EASTERN WYOMING 76Total rebounds – offensive rebounds in ()Points — Davion McAdam 34, Yannice Nlend 15, David Ayala 10, Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 6, Will Hemme 6, Mack Page 6, Christian Adun 6, Brash Emery 2, Kolter Merritt 2, Antwon Logan 2Rebounds — Davion McAdam 9 (3), David Ayala 6, Yannice Nlend 6 (1), Will Hemme 3, Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 2 (1), Brash Emery 2, Mack Page 2 (2), Christian Adun 2, Kolter Merritt 1 (1)Assists — Yannice Nlend 2, Davion McAdam 1, David Ayala 1, Will Hemme 1Steals — Yannice Nlend 2, Andre Loigu 1, Christian Adun 1Blocks — Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 2